Proposals for new homes are rejected

Plans to build in open countryside on the western fringe of Livingston have been rejected by West Lothian Council.

The council’s Planning Committee heard that the proposed Taylor Wimpey development on farmland at Brucefield would reduce the gap between the town of Livingston and the village of Polbeth to just 280ft.

The housing developer had applied for planning permission to build on fields at Brotherton Farm south of the main A71 and close to a new development by Miller Homes at the Wilderness roundabout.

There is also new housing being built on the opposite side of the road next to the Brucefield Industrial Estate,

The Taylor Wimpey site would cover 39 acres of open countryside. The farmland is the last barrier between Livingston’s housing and business parks and the village of Polbeth.

Had permission been granted it would have meant an almost unbroken line of commercial space and homes between Livingston and the far west of West Calder.

The developers argued that there was a shortage of housing development in West Lothian.

It’s an argument frequently levelled at the council which contends it has set aside enough land for housing for the next decade. It also specifies the redevelopment of brownfield sites should be prioritised over building on greenbelt land.

This was a central plank of the argument by planners against the Brotherton plan.

They also cited coalescence - a planning term covering the blurring of traditional settlement boundaries.

Naomi Cunninghame, for Taylor Wimpey, suggested the development would sit well in the area and bring in new council tax revenue for the council as well as a predicted £1.6m spend from families in the first year of occupation.

Alongside the homes would be nine acres of usable green space as well as an enhanced watercourse that would define the boundary with Polbeth.

Local community councils were among seven objectors to the plan.

They argued that existing schools could not cope with the influx of so many more children. Of greater concern to councillors was the fact that the site was at least two miles from the closest primary schools at Bankton and Parkhead.

West Lothian’s policy is that primary children should have to walk no more than 1.5 miles to school.

Local member, Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick, asked the team presenting the application: “Do you think it acceptable that primary age children should have to walk further than two miles to school?”

The team defended their contention saying that the national distance agreement was two miles, adding that they would be prepared to work with local schools to develop safe walking routes to school.

However councillors lined up to comment on that element.

Charles Kennedy who grew up in the area said he would not be happy with children walking along the busy A71 and depute Labour group leader, Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan, said it would be likely that parents would resort to driving their children to and from schools.

Councillors also questioned the blurring of community boundaries, with Councillor Pauline Clark and Councillor Kennedy pointing out that the people of Polbeth were proud of their village.

“I don’t think they would like it to become part of what may become the city of Livingston,” said Councillor Clark.

Councillor Chris Horne said that, within days of the COP26 climate summit, the most important elements to respect were the increasing use and reliance on cars the development would bring as well as loss of greenbelt land.

A meeting of the full council immediately after the planning hearing agreed unanimously to back a motion from the Provost Tom Kerr to support planning officers and reject the application.